Fact Check: Ralph Macchio, Star of 'The Karate Kid,' is Over 60 Years Old Now
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Claim:
Ralph Macchio, the actor who played the role of Daniel LaRusso in “The Karate Kid” franchise of films, is now (as of 2023) more than 60 years old.
Rating:
A series of TikTok videos claimed that Ralph Macchio, the actor who played Daniel LaRusso in “The Karate Kid” film franchise of the 1980s, was more than 60 years old. TikTokers expressed shock at what appeared to be Macchio’s ageless features.
It is correct that Macchio is now (as of this writing in December 2023) 62 years old. According to his IMDb page he was born in November 1961.
He confirmed his age in a September 2022 interview with Jimmy Kimmel, where he was asked about how people around him reacted when they learned his real age. Macchio said people were “maybe a little surprised” and then admitted he was 60 years old.
The exchange can be heard at the 1:05 mark:
In November 2023, news broke about a new "Karate Kid" movie in the works with Macchio and Chinese star Jackie Chan, who had appeared in a 2010 reboot of the series. Chan and Macchio announced a global casting call to find the new teenage star of the film.
Sources:
Pulver, Andrew. “New Karate Kid Movie with Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan in the Works.” The Guardian, 22 Nov. 2023. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/nov/22/new-karate-kid-movie-ralph-macchio-jackie-chan-cobra-kai. Accessed 15 Dec. 2023.
“Ralph Macchio | Actor, Producer, Director.” IMDb, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001494/. Accessed 15 Dec. 2023.
"Ralph Macchio on Turning 60, Cobra Kai & Being Pitched Terrible Karate Kid Reboot Ideas." Jimmy Kimmel Live, Sept. 9, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUXiTxl_jos. Accessed 15 Dec. 2023.
The Karate Kid. Directed by John G. Avildsen, Columbia Pictures, Delphi II Productions, Jerry Weintraub Productions, 1984. Accessed 15 Dec. 2023.
